Te Puna Ora o Mataatua’s Ngā Mata Wai Ora – Counselling and Therapy Hub Team has been recognised for their excellence at a national awards ceremony this last week.

Ngā Mata Wai Ora secured the Excellence in Mātauranga Māori Addiction Practice Award for 2023 at the dapaanz - Addiction Practitioners Association of Aotearoa New Zealand awards in Kirikiriroa on Wednesday, November 24.

The annual awards ceremony recognises members of the addiction workforce, who are nominated by their peers, for the contribution they make to their sector, and their organisations and to support tāngata whai ora.

Reacting to the award, Kaiarataki Ngā Mata Wai Ora Counselling Team Lead Matewai Wharepapa says it reflects the efforts of the team, and above all, the wider community.

"Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, ēngari he toa takitini,” she says.

“I te mutunga mai o te rā, as nice as it is to receive awards, our whānau are who drive and inspire us to continue to do more because they deserve it, we deserve it, our mokopuna deserve it!”

Ngā Mata Wai Ora first launched in November 2020, providing kaupapa Māori clinic and therapeutic counselling for youth and adults across the Mataatua rohe.

The team currently consists of a traditional Māori healer, together with counsellors and spiritual therapists.

Te Kaiwhakahaere o Ngā Mata Wai Ora Hiria Allison says since their formation the team has been able to deliver a service that brings lasting and practical change for whānau.

“Using knowledge of Kaupapa Māori and Clinical Frameworks, the team is dedicated to working alongside individuals and whānau to help bring change from cycles of constant hurt, blaming, denial and reliving trauma.

“We have the flexibility to wananga one-on-one or in group settings, it can be indoors at our therapy space or outdoors in our taiao; it’s about what works for each individual or whānau.”